Mario Brothers Moving Company – FriFic – 06/28/17

“You understand this is one of the oldest pianos in the world. It is priceless. I won’t allow you to move it unless you can guarantee the safety,” Mr. Manuellos stated.

“Not to worry,” Mario said. “We have moved more valuable items with no issue.”

Now he and his brother stared at the narrow path as they contemplated their task.

“You never have been able to think about problems in a rational way,” Luigi said.

Mario shook his head, wishing he could silence his brother’s words.

“You won’t be able to run, jump and bash your way through this time!”

 

But I Can Have a Dream Too! – Carrot Ranch Weekly Flash – 06/22/17

 

 

 

  Erin studied Eric’s speech he had spent so many hours on, checking and rechecking it as her good friend requested.

“It’s great except for one thing. You can’t use the ‘I have a dream’ line at the beginning.”

“Why not?”

“There is a very famous speech with that line you don’t want to copy.”

“Doesn’t every speech reuse some words from another?” Eric asked.

“I suppose, but I think you should try again on your opening,” Erin said handing the papers back to Eric.

Two days later Eric began his speech like this: “Dreams are the mind cataloging memories!”

 

One Man’s Prank is Another Man’s Reality – Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers – 06/27/17

 Pete licked his lips as his mind raced considering his grand scheme. He had battled with his next door neighbor, Watson for years, each of them escalating their pranks. It was time to go full on over the top and Pete saw his chance in the form of the huge alien.

“Seriously Pete?” Jennifer, his wife asked.

“Yes Jen. You know how he is always going on about aliens coming to get him. Two of these in his yard on Halloween night will be priceless.”

Two months later the stage was set as Pete laid out an elaborate scene with the two “aliens” prominently featured.

He knew Watson would not get home from his job in Siler City until just after dark. He watched with surging enthusiasm as Watson’s car rolled into view. The car stopped in the street, his neighbor slowly exiting to determine what he saw.

“No, you promised I could stay five more years! I won’t go, no matter how much you torture me!” Watson screamed.

 

 

 

How Bad Do You Want My Number – Sunday Photo Fiction – 06/25/17

“What’s the game?” Jack asked.

“Kind of like hide and seek,” Jillian announced.

“Aren’t we kind of old for that?” Jack asked.

“It depends on how bad you want my phone number. You see I took one green leaf and wrote my cell phone number on it. Then I hid it in this grove somewhere. If you find it you can get your date with me. If you aren’t interested then it will be there for whoever will look.”

Jack hated games, but he really liked Jillian. The blonde hair and blue eyes with the intoxicating laugh was just something he couldn’t get off his mind. Not that he wanted to either.

“I think I have made it very clear how I feel about you,” Jack said. “Is this necessary?”

“No, it isn’t necessary. But it could be fun,” Jillian replied.

Jack’s expression betrayed his feelings about this adventure.

“You don’t want to play?”

“It’s the only way?” Jack asked.

Jillian cocked her head as she offered a playful smile.

“Fine!”

The Privilege of Location – Friday Fictioneers – 06/23/17

Photo copyright – Ted Strutz

Gaambatuu’s eyes were wide as he approached the ferry terminal. Wider even, if possible, than when they boarded the wide body jet in his home country of Botswana for his first international trip. It was something Charlie wanted to do for his friend he’d met during his mission trip to Africa the year before.

Gaambatuu shook his head as the ferry filled.

“Amazing?” Charlie asked.

“Wondrous. You pay so little for so much. I could move my entire village and livestock on this. But it would cost many times more.

 

“We are privileged.”

True, my friend.”

---

I was struck in my first “real” international mission trip in 2012 to Belize how bog a difference there is in our cultures. The things we take for granted are luxuries or simply unheard of for the average person. Many people here me talk about going to Belize and immediately entertain the thoughts of the tourist and luxury parts of the country, but I have only been to that part once in three trips, and only for about two hours counting our lunch in a restaurant.

Let it fly at the bird – Sunday Photo Fiction – 06/18/17

None of the roughly five thousand students who crossed the Cramer University campus every day gave much thought to why the tan bird was installed atop the student center. There was a plaque, but it was old and nothing of interest to anyone of the twenty-first century. In truth the bird had become the target of a great competition that came around every spring.

The grounds crew at Cramer got really steamed when the tradition began nearly three decades earlier, because trying to get the paint removed from the homemade catapults was no easy task. But as with all things knowledge and preparation provided a way to lessen the lasting impact.

Also, even though he made a yearly declaration the practice was forbidden, the university president had come to enjoy the spectacle and had increased the minimum distance this year to challenge the partakers of the hijinks. The engineering students felt equal to the task as their prototype testing proved they could reach their target.

But there was an unknown player in the mix this year. Known simply as the Eagle Squadron their boast was that they could hit the bird on no less than seven of ten attempts.

 

The Kind of Splash that Wins the Guy – Friday Fictioneers – 06/16/17

Cindy looked at her waterproof digital watch.  Liam always took a swim between 11:30 and midnight. She turned to the sky, wishing there was more moonlight. This was an audacious stunt, even for her. All the sky-diving, bungee jumping, rapids-riding craziness would be topped if this stunt played out.

It was a Hail Mary, but nothing else pulled Liam’s attention her way. She tried not to spend too much time thinking about what could go wrong. She gulped in one last breath when she saw Liam below.

From the fourth floor roof to the pool she flew, creating a huge splash.

 

When Trust is Absent – Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers – 6/13/17

Picture copyright Majesticgoldenrose

“What is the purpose?” Liz asked. She stood with her arms crossed. the usual signal of her body language that meant she wasn’t inclined to agree with John’s words.

“The purpose? To complete a marriage license. You know, the paper we have to have to make our dreams a reality.”

“I mean what is the purpose of getting married? You cheated before. Are you really expecting me to believe a piece of paper will stop that from repeating?” Liz replied with a scowl of indignation.

“I didn’t cheat,” John protested. “You saw something innocent and made it more than it was.”

“You know the look of impropriety can be just as bad as reality.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Honestly I am not sure anymore,” Liz said.

 

Face Tag is our Game – Carrot Ranch Weekly Flash – 06/08/17

Kaley looked at Casey with an unsure expression.

“It’s simple. Make sure they don’t see your face. If they do you are frozen.”

Kaley nodded with her understanding. She was totally zoned in until they picked the tagger.

“No!” she thought without speaking. Not him. Anyone but Eric.

Casey saw her expression, tapping her on the arm while asking with her eyes what was wrong.

“It’s nothing. I am good.”

“Wait,” Casey said her look of concern morphing into a wide smile. “I guess I know who you like now, huh?”

“Don’t say anything, promise!”

“I won’t have to.”